Building in Cill Rialaigh

Situated on the steep SE slopes of Bolus Head, from which it commands a magnificent view over the mouth of Kenmare Bay to the Beara Peninsula at S, KE097-044001- comprises a strong cashel wall which encloses an oratory, a circular hut, three rectangular buildings, a cross-slab and a covered passage. Just outside the enclosure, at N, is a rectangular platform with a leacht and a cross-slab. This site was in use as a ceallúnach until the nineteenth century (OSNB Prior, 51), and a holy well is located c. 90m to SW (KE097-059----) Rectangular Buildings: (1) The poorly preserved remains of this structure are located a short distance NW of the oratory (KE097-044002-). Its SW wall is not apparent, but elsewhere the walls average 1.3m thick and feature rounded external angles. Internally the building measures 2.8m NW-SE and its lower courses, formed of large horizontally laid slabs, are visible at NE and NW. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 951. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013